Tyler Perry's mother dies

Tyler Perry’s mother, Willie Maxine Perry, passed away yesterday, according to a message posted on Perry’s website. No cause of death was mentioned for the 64-year-old, who was an inspiration for Perry’s Madea character. Perry told Essence Magazine in 2006 that “The nurturing part of Madea comes from my mother, who would open the doors of our home to you no matter who you were.”